Earlier today, President Obama announced the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, a national effort that brings together industry, universities and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies that will create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance our global competitiveness. As part of that effort, the Energy Department will be investing up to $120 million over three years in the development of transformational manufacturing technologies and innovative materials that could enable industrial facilities to dramatically increase their energy efficiency.

The Department expects to fund 35 to 50 cost-shared projects under the initiative and is currently accepting applications for projects on at various stages of development. The selected projects will emphasize new processes and materials that are revolutionary in their design or impact and that are capable of being commercialized within the next five to seven years. By boosting investment in near-term technology development, the Department is supporting projects that might otherwise take far longer to contribute to U.S. industrial competitiveness. Ultimately these investments will spur innovative energy-efficient manufacturing processes and novel materials that will help U.S. manufacturers save money by reducing the energy needed to power their facilities.

If you think your project could qualify, visit the Funding Opportunity Exchange for more information on the application requirements – bearing in mind that all applications are due by August 25, 2011.

John Schueler is a New Media Specialist with the Office of Public Affairs.